One of the most dangerous phrases ever uttered is “but we have to do something!” Because what often follows is thoughtless adherence and obeisance to whatever suggestion comes along. As long as it is immediate, feels good, and satisfies our emotional craving for the appearance of action, we grab it. 

The truth is, such a desire for immediate action lacks thoughtfulness and consideration. It doesn’t look for a solution that is real, has moral and ethical substance, and has consideration for future ramifications. Rather, this mindset eschews such concerns because it is not fast enough, it doesn’t help people feel better right now, and it does not stop our fears that something bad will happen while we wait.

The “do something!” mindset is not ruled by objectivity, rationality, and morality. It is ruled by emotion. It does not care who brings a solution as long as it happens immediately and soothes our anxieties. It does not ask if those bringing the solution have a proper basis for their ideas, it just wants the ideas now. It does not care if there may be ulterior motives for the future because what matters is helping those hurting in the here and now.

If someone questions the validity of the solution, if someone shares concerns that the proposed ideas could be more harmful than good, if they say there are moral, ethical, and legal problems, then that person is decried as having no love for the hurting. It is more important that we act now to give the appearance of care than to wait – being concerned with how we are able to care in the immediate moment – while we develop sound, logical, ethical solutions. That just takes too long and we want our pound of flesh now.

As Christians, we know the most dangerous thing we can do is seek to satisfy the desires of our heart. The human heart is an idol factory that demands the constant worship of self. We, by nature, eschew being held to any outside standard. We don’t want our ideas or solutions examined against an objectively moral rationality that is not our own. We might not get what we want if we do.

Christians know just how wicked the heart of man is because our Savior had to die that we might be saved from those sinful hearts. So, it stands to reason that the Christian should not be quick to grab whatever solution presents itself. If God’s ways are higher than ours, if His plans are superior to our own, if His principles have greater love and kindness than we can ever muster, then we must submit all that we say and do to examination by His holy Word.

But, all too often, we as Christians are quick to jump on the “do something right now!” bandwagon. We fear being seen as unkind or unloving if we do not act quickly. Yet, love is not really demonstrated if hasty solutions not only fail to heal the hurt but also deceive those we care about into thinking that we need not take our worries and cares before the Lord.

Hastiness means we are being led by our hearts and not the Lord. It tells us that what matters is not seeking the wisdom of God in all things but trying to calm our anxieties quickly in whatever manner sounds good. This is not caring for the hurting. This leaves them in their pain running from one worldly idea to another in hopes they find an immediate peace, one that may or may not last.

Christians know that God’s ways mean He works in His timing and according to His nature. God may heal now or He may heal over the course of a lifetime. But, He will always work according to His revealed Word. And, He will do it for His glory.

Therefore, Christians, we must be willing to be patient, work hard, examine ideas in the light of Scripture, and be willing to reject any solution that does not seek first the glory of God. If we do this first, then what we bring to the hurting will not only bring genuine healing and peace, but it will point those people back to the One who can not only heal in the temporal but in the eternal.